Multi-tier quality of service wireless communications networks

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to improved communication quality of service in communication networks. A customer may pay different fees for different tiers of service relating to voice quality and bandwidth access. Higher service tiers may guarantee that a specific vocoder or bit rate is used; or guarantee that communication is supported by parameters such as maximum allowed dropped calls rate, jitter and latency. Availability may be guaranteed per the contract between subscribers and service providers. Different tiers may be associated with customers&#39; records for billing purposes. High end devices may be afforded higher voice quality by comparing a given device to a look up table indicating what service level is associated therewith. A calling device or a receiving device may ask the other device to change the vocoder or bit rate to ensure a higher quality call. The user may also change the quality level before or during a call.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/989,859, filed Jan. 13, 2011, which is a national phase entryunder 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/002676,filed Apr. 29, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/125,971, entitled “Multi-Tier Service WirelessCommunications Network,” filed Apr. 30, 2008, U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/166,344, entitled “Multi-Tier Quality of ServiceWireless Communications Networks,” filed Apr. 3, 2009, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/167,580, entitled “Multi-Tier and SecureService Wireless Communications Networks,” filed Apr. 8, 2009, theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and,more particularly, to creating multi-tier cellular phone communicationssystem with different quality tiers of services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of wireless communication has grown steadily for years, aswireless communication systems offer customers convenience andflexibility. Wireless cellular communication systems have been based ona wide variety of technologies, such as Time Division Multiple Access(“TDMA”), Global System for Mobile communications (“GSM”), UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), and Code Division MultipleAccess (“CDMA”). These technologies have evolved in an attempt toincrease the number of subscribers that can be serviced at a given time(capacity) and also to improve the quality of service for subscribers.For instance, in recent years so-called third generation or “3G”cellular systems have been deployed to provide access to fast Internetand video. These include systems based upon standards and/orrecommendations such as 3GPP and IMT-2000, which implement wideband CDMA(“WCDMA”) or other high-bandwidth architectures.

Such systems offer customers a wide array of services, from basic voicecommunication to Short Message text messaging (“SMS”), MultimediaMessaging Service (“MMS”), e-mail access and even video applications.FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional cellular wide-area networkimplementation 10 in which a number of cells 12 are each served by oneor more base stations (“BSs”) 14. Each base station may include a RF(Radio Frequency) transmission section and a baseband section for signalprocessing, call management, etc. A number of base stations aretypically coupled to a mobile switching center (“MSC”) or mobiletelephone switching office (“MTSO”) 16. In turn, the MTSO 16 is coupledto other network elements (not shown) and/or to the public switchedtelephone network (“PSTN”) 18. User devices 20 include wirelesstelephones, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”) andother devices that have two-way voice, data and/or video capabilities.Such devices are often referred to as mobile units or mobile stations(“MSs”).

As a given mobile station 20 travels or roams across a serviceprovider's network, it typically sends and receives packets of data,including digitized voice, from multiple base stations. At any giventime, primary communication (e.g., a voice call) is conducted betweenthe mobile station and one base station, commonly referred to as the“serving base station.” The serving base station may change from a firstbase station to a second base station as the location of the mobilestation changes or other factors impinge on the signal between themobile station and first base station. This process of switching betweenbase stations is called handoff.

One of the major problems in cellular communication may be theunsatisfactory quality of service for subscribers. The signalstransmitted between users' mobile stations and the network's basestations may be affected by a number of different factors, includingblockage by buildings or terrain, multipath interference, movement andspeed of the mobile station, handoffs between base stations, othermobile stations, etc; other network transmission characteristics, suchas delay, jitter and uptime (availability) of the network affect signalquality as well. Furthermore, there is a finite bandwidth available ateach base station or for a given cell in the wireless system. Thus,users are often subject to dropped calls and inferior voice quality, incontrast to the general high reliability of landline phonecommunications with plain old telephone service (“POTS”).

The number of users who can be served by a cell or by a particular basestation is impacted by the above mentioned issues and other factors.Service providers and mobile equipment manufacturers have attempted todeal with such issues with a number of different solutions. Forinstance, a serving base station may require mobile stations to performpower control to limit their transmission power. This helps to reducethe interference presented by transmissions from other mobile stationssignals and therefore increase the signal to interference and noiseratio (“SINR”) for other mobile stations. It can also enable more userson the system at a given time.

Mobile stations may also employ improved reception using so-called“RAKE” receivers to handle multipath propagation. See, for instance,“WCDMA for UMTS: Radio Access for Third Generation MobileCommunications,” edited by Holma and Toskala, copyright 2000 by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd., the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein. Another useful reference is “CDMA:Principles of Spread Spectrum Communication,” by Andrew Viterbi,copyright 1995 by Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Another solution to make a communication channel more efficientimplements speech coding to reduce the amount of data that must be sentin order to reliably reproduce a user's voice. A general treatment ofspeech coding may be found in “Mobile Communication Systems,” by Parsonsand Gardiner, copyright 1989 by Blackie and Son Ltd., the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Speech coding in mobile telephony applications is typically done using acodec (coder/decoder). Voice codecs or voice coders (“vocoders”) havingvarying levels of compression are often employed to reduce the requiredcommunication bandwidth by reducing the sampling rate of a voice signal.The terms codec and vocoder are used interchangeably herein.

Most of the frequencies that reproduce speech lie in the range of about300 Hz to 3400 Hz. A band-limited signal, such as a speech signal, maybe reconstructed from digital samples taken at or above the “Nyquistrate,” which is a rate corresponding to two times the frequencybandwidth of the signal. This may require up to 64 Kb/s per user.However some vocoders can provide a reasonably good representation ofvoice with as little as 2.4 Kb/s of data rate.

Over the years, a number of different techniques have been used indifferent systems. By way of example only, one technique calledcode-excited linear prediction (“CELP”) has been implemented by Qualcommin its “QCELP” vocoders. Another popular technique is called theenhanced variable rate codec (“EVRC”). More recently, a variation calledEVRC-B has been implemented in 3G systems. Other techniques include theselectable mode vocoder (“SMV”) and adaptive multi-rate compression(“AMR”).

One of the advantages of vocoders implementing such techniques is thatthe compression rate may be varied. Variable compression can result inreduced transmission overhead, which, in turn, can enable a serviceprovider to accommodate more users on the wireless system. However, forany given vocoder the higher the compression level and the fewer bitsused to represent the information, the less the output sounds like theoriginal input (e.g., the voice of the user). In other words, thefidelity of the coded voice will decrease as the number of bits used torepresent the voice decreases. While the user may not notice somedegradation in quality, if the bit rate is reduced enough, or if a lessrobust vocoder is used, at some point the user may become aware of thereduced quality of the call.

Furthermore, in many applications a vocoder may change the bit rate oneor more times during a call, and different calls may use differentvocoders. Thus, a user may experience varying voice quality in themiddle of a call or when making or receiving different calls. This canbe frustrating to many users. Unfortunately, in conventional systems theuser has no control over which vocoder is used or which level ofcompression is employed at any given time. Instead, these are typicallymandated by standards and/or by the carrier's or service provider's ownrequirements or specifications.

In view of this, one can consider cellular telecommunications systems tobe “one size fits all” types of systems. All mobile phones operating ona given network are subject to the same constraints, regardless ofwhether the mobile phone was given to the user for free as part of aparticular plan or whether the user paid hundreds of dollars or more forthe phone. There is usually no differentiation, and bandwidth andtransmission characteristics mentioned above are imposed on allsubscribers.

By way of example only, certain manufacturers have offered luxurycellular phones costing many thousands of dollars. Nokia, for one,launched a company called Vertu to sell high end phones. The VertuConstellation, which is finished in 18 kt gold, retailed for $20,000. Aneven more expensive phone is the Motorola SLVR L7 Diamond, which waspriced at $75,000. And the Diamond Crypto Smartphone has been reportedto cost $1.3 million. Nonetheless, in existing systems users of suchphones are subject to the same performance problems and constraints asare users of low priced or even free phones.

Vocoder performance is only one aspect that affects quality of service(“QoS”) for a subscriber. As soon as signal leaves a mobile station, itis traveling through many spans and even networks until it reaches itsdestination, which may be another mobile station. Such transmissioncharacteristics as network availability (which often relates toequipment protection), signal delay, jitter and dropped packets rate aremajor factors that affect the grade of service quality. In traditionalcellular networks, there is no differentiation of users by quality ofservice.

It may be useful to note that in the literature on wirelesscommunications the term “multi-tier cellular network” usually refers tooverlaying cells of different size such as micro-cells and macro-cellsin a two-tier network, which are commonly used today. This is not themeaning of “multi-tier” network as it is used herein. A “multi-tier”network as used herein refers to a wireless communication network withdifferent tiers of service, wherein each tier of service corresponds toa different level of service, such as quality of service (QoS) ordifferent levels of security, each tier priced differently. In theliterature, such networks are often referred to as “multi-class wirelessnetworks.” For the purposes of this disclosure the terms “multi-tier”and “multi-class” are used interchangeably as synonymous.

In view of the above, a need exists for improved service quality incellular communications systems and other wireless architectures. Afurther need exists for a multi-tier cell phone service offeringcustomers guaranteed minimum bandwidth and level of quality ofcommunication (defined also by latency, jitter, and network availabilityand dropped rate of the calls). Yet another need exists for customservice plans allowing customers to purchase custom level of cell phonecommunication service, which guarantees a minimum bandwidth and level ofquality of communication (defined also by latency, jitter, networkavailability and dropped rate of the calls), corresponding to aparticular tier in a multi-tier communication system. Still another needexists to match the quality of cellular phone communications to thequality and/or price level of a handset used by a customer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofproviding telecommunication service in a wireless communication networkcomprises: providing a plurality of service levels, each of theplurality of service levels corresponding to a different quality levelof communication between a wireless mobile station and a base station ofthe wireless communication network, and each of the plurality of servicelevels also corresponds to different service charges in an overallpricing structure; providing an option to a customer to select one ofthe plurality of service quality levels for use with the wireless mobilestation; storing the selected service quality level in a customer recordassociated with the wireless mobile station; and configuring thecustomer record to bill the customer a predetermined price for theselected service quality level.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a wirelesscommunication system comprises at least one base station; at least onenetwork server operatively connected to the at least one base station; adata storage device operatively connected to the at least one networkserver; a customer record database stored on the storage device formaintaining records of a plurality of customers of the wirelesscommunication system and for identifying at least one wireless mobilestation associated with each of the plurality of customers; and aplurality of service quality levels, each of the plurality of servicelevels corresponding to a different quality level of communication andto a different service fee in an overall pricing structure.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofsetting a service level in a cellular communication network comprising aplurality of base stations, a plurality of mobile stations and a networkserver, the network server having a customer record database associatedtherewith, the method comprises receiving an incoming call indication bya first one of the plurality of mobile stations, the first mobilestation being registered with the cellular communication network;determining a service level associated with the first mobile station;and selecting at least one of a vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for useby the first mobile station, the selection being determined by the firstmobile station's service level agreement.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod of communicating in a cellular communication network comprising aplurality of base stations, a plurality of mobile stations and a networkserver, the network server having customer record database associatedtherewith, the method comprises initiating a call scenario for a firstone of the plurality of mobile stations, the first mobile station beingregistered on the cellular communication network; identifying a servicelevel associated with the first mobile station; selecting at least oneof a vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for use by the first mobile station,the selection being determined by the identified service level; andcommunicating with the cellular communication network using the selectedvocoder with the selected vocoder bit rate in accordance with theservice level agreement purchased by a subscriber.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod of communicating in a cellular communication network comprising aplurality of base stations, a plurality of mobile stations and a networkserver, the network server having customer record database associatedtherewith, the method comprises initiating a call scenario for a firstone of the plurality of mobile stations, the first mobile station beingregistered on the cellular communication network; identifying a QoSassociated with the first mobile station; selecting at least one of avocoder and vocoder guaranteed QoS level for use by the first mobilestation, the selection being determined by the identified QoS level; andcommunicating with the cellular communication network using the selectedvocoder.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod of communicating in a cellular communication network comprising aplurality of base stations and a network server having customer recorddatabase, the method comprises receiving an incoming call from a firstone of a plurality of mobile stations, the first mobile station beingregistered on the cellular communication network; determining a servicelevel associated with the first mobile station; selecting apredetermined minimum bandwidth for use by the first mobile station, theselection being determined by the service level of the first mobilestation; allocating the selected predetermined minimum bandwidth for useby the first mobile station; and communicating with the first mobilestation using the selected bandwidth as per a Service Level Agreement.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, amobile station for operation on a multi-tier wireless communicationnetwork providing a plurality of quality of service tiers correspondingto different levels of quality of wireless communications, the wirelessmobile station comprises a housing; a microphone positioned within thehousing; an analog-to-digital converter disposed within the housing andoperatively connected to the microphone; a digital signal processordisposed within the housing and operatively connected to theanalog-to-digital converter; a receiver disposed within the housing andoperatively connected to the digital signal processor; a transmitterdisposed within the housing and operatively connected to the digitalsignal processor; an antenna at least partially received within thehousing and operatively connected to the transmitter and the receiver;and at least one vocoder operable to code and decode signalscorresponding to the plurality of service tiers on the wirelesscommunication network.

In another embodiment, a base station is provided for use in amulti-tier wireless communication network providing a plurality ofservice tiers corresponding to different levels of quality guaranteed byService Level Agreements, which are a part of a service contract betweena subscriber and a service provider; of wireless communications. Thebase station comprising a tower; an antenna positioned on the tower; atransceiver for transmitting and receiving data packets to and frommobile users in the wireless communication network; and a processoroperatively coupled to the transceiver and programmed to select avocoder for corresponding tier communication in response to a phone callfrom a wireless mobile station based on the record in a lookup table.

In another embodiment, a method of providing telecommunication servicein a wireless communication network comprises providing a plurality ofQuality-of-Service (“QoS”) levels, each of the plurality of QoS levelscorresponding to a different QoS level of communication between awireless mobile station and a base station of the wireless communicationnetwork, and each of the plurality of QoS levels also corresponds to adifferent price in an overall pricing structure; providing an option toa customer to select one of the plurality of QoS levels for use with thewireless mobile station; storing the selected QoS level in a customerrecord associated with the wireless mobile station; and configuring thecustomer record to bill the customer a predetermined price for theselected QoS level. In one example, each QoS level of communication is aquality level of an audio signal sent or received by the wireless mobilestation.

In an alternative, the audio signal quality level corresponds to aparticular vocoder bit rate. In another alternative, the audio signalquality level corresponds to a selection of a vocoder used by thewireless mobile station. In a further alternative, the audio signalquality level corresponds to a minimum guaranteed bandwidth used by thewireless mobile station. In yet another alternative, the audio signalquality level relates to a dropped call rate. In another alternative,the audio signal quality level corresponds to at least one of afrequency ranges of an incoming audio signal, a sampling frequency ofthe incoming audio signal, and a dynamic range of the incoming audiosignal. In a further alternative, the audio signal quality levelcorresponds to a predetermine level of network protection between mobilestations involved in a conversation; and the network protection rangesfrom a basic protection level to a 1:1 protection level to guarantee QoSpurchased by a subscriber. And in another alternative, the audio signalquality level corresponds to a service level determined by a contractbetween a service provider and a subscriber including at least one of amaximum allowed latency and a jitter value guaranteed by a serviceprovider.

In another example, the wireless communication network reserves apredetermined bandwidth for at least some of the plurality of QoSlevels. In a further example, the wireless communication networkreserves a predetermined protection level for at least some of theplurality of QoS levels. In yet another example, the wirelesscommunication network reserves a predetermined maximum allowed latencyfor at least some of the plurality of QoS levels. In another example,the wireless communication network reserves a predetermined maximumallowed jitter level for at least some of the plurality of QoS levels.In a further example, the wireless communication network reserves apredetermined maximum allowed dropped call rate for at least some of theplurality of QoS levels. And in another example, the wirelesscommunication network is a cellular communication network.

Another embodiment provides a wireless communication system, comprisingat least one base station; at least one network server operativelyconnected to the at least one base station; a data storage deviceoperatively connected to the at least one network server; a customerrecord database stored on the storage device for maintaining records ofa plurality of customers of the wireless communication system and foridentifying at least one wireless mobile station associated with each ofthe plurality of customers; and a plurality of QoS levels, each of theplurality of QoS levels corresponding to a different quality level ofcommunication and to a different price in an overall pricing structure.

In an example, the customer record database is updatable to reflect aselected level of QoS for a given customer. In another example, eachquality level of communication is a quality level of an audio signal tobe sent or received by a mobile station of a given customer. In afurther example, the audio signal quality level corresponds to a vocoderbit rate. In yet another example, the audio signal quality levelcorresponds to a selection of a vocoder of a user's mobile station. Inanother example, the audio signal quality level corresponds to a minimumguaranteed bandwidth of a user's mobile station. In a further example,the audio signal quality level corresponds to particular communicationchannel availability as per a contract with a service provider. And inanother example, the audio signal quality level corresponds to at leastone of a maximum allowed value for signal latency, jitter and droppedcall rate of a received signal at the user's mobile station, the audioquality level being guaranteed by a service contract between the userand a service provider.

In another embodiment, a method of setting a QoS level in a cellularcommunication network comprising a plurality of base stations, aplurality of mobile stations and a network server is provided. Here, henetwork server has a customer record database associated therewith, andthe method comprises receiving an incoming call indication by a firstone of the plurality of mobile stations, the first mobile station beingregistered with the cellular communication network; determining a QoSlevel associated with the first mobile station; and selecting at leastone of a vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for use by the first mobilestation, the selection being determined by the first mobile station'sQoS level.

In one example, determining the QoS service level includes querying thecustomer record database to identify the mobile station's service level.In another example, determining the service level includes determining amodel number of the mobile station; and accessing a lookup table usingthe model number to identify the service level associated with themobile station model number. In a further example, the method furthercomprises receiving a QoS service level identifier from the first mobilestation by a first one of the plurality of base stations of the cellularcommunication network; validating the service level identifier;selecting at least one of a vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for use bythe first base station, the selection being determined by the validatedservice level identifier; and transmitting a service level confirmationto the first mobile station.

In another example, the plurality of mobile stations further includes asecond mobile station. In this case, determining further comprisesdetermining a QoS level of the second mobile station; and selectingfurther comprises identifying a higher tier QoS level from among thefirst and second mobile station service levels; and selecting at leastone of the vocoder and the vocoder bit rate for use by the first andsecond mobile stations, the selection being determined by the highertier service level. In a further example, the plurality of mobilestations further includes a second mobile station; determining furthercomprises determining a service level of the second mobile station; andselecting further comprises identifying a lower tier service level fromamong the first and second mobile station service levels; and selectingat least one of the vocoder and the vocoder bit rate for use by thefirst and second mobile stations, the selection being determined by thelower tier service level.

Another embodiment is directed to a method of communicating in acellular communication network comprising a plurality of base stations,a plurality of mobile stations and a network server. Here, the networkserver has customer record database associated therewith, and the methodcomprises initiating a call scenario for a first one of the plurality ofmobile stations, the first mobile station being registered on thecellular communication network; identifying a QoS level associated withthe first mobile station; selecting at least one of a vocoder and avocoder bit rate for use by the first mobile station, the selectionbeing determined by the identified QoS level; and communicating with thecellular communication network using the selected vocoder or theselected vocoder bit rate.

In one example, identifying the QoS level includes retrieving apredetermined QoS level stored in a memory of the first mobile station.In another example, the memory is a nonvolatile memory of the firstmobile station. In a further example, the memory is a subscriberidentity module of the first mobile station. In yet another example, thecall scenario is initiated by a user of the first mobile station makingan outgoing call. In a further example, selecting the at least one ofthe vocoder and the vocoder bit rate is done at the first mobilestation. In another example, the call scenario is an incoming callreceived by the first mobile station. And in yet another example, theplurality of mobile stations further comprises a second mobile station;the incoming call is initiated by the second mobile station; andselecting further includes selecting at least one of a vocoder and avocoder bit rate for use by the second mobile station for the incomingcall.

Another embodiment is directed to a method of communicating in acellular communication network comprising a plurality of base stationsand a network server having customer record database. The methodcomprises receiving an incoming call from a first one of a plurality ofmobile stations, the first mobile station being registered on thecellular communication network; determining a QoS level associated withthe first mobile station; selecting a predetermined minimum bandwidthfor use by the first mobile station, the selection being determined bythe service level of the first mobile station; allocating the selectedpredetermined minimum bandwidth for use by the first mobile station; andcommunicating with the first mobile station using the selectedbandwidth.

In one example, the QoS level of the first mobile station is stored in acustomer record of the customer record database. In another example, aservice area is divided between subscribers in a such way that eachsubscriber is assigned by a contract between the subscriber and aservice provider to belong to a closed service group, with allsubscribers in a given closed service group class have the same servicelevel agreement. In this case, the method further comprises providingthat a subscriber of a lower grade class can communicate with asubscriber from a higher grade class with an additional per call fee;and providing that the subscriber of the higher grade class cancommunicate with the subscriber from the lower grade class with anadditional per call fee charged to the lower class subscriber. In afurther example, the selected predetermined bandwidth is allocated forthe duration of the incoming call. And in another example, the incomingcall includes a bandwidth indicator that is received by a first one ofthe plurality of base stations. In this case, the method may furthercomprise passing the bandwidth indicator from the first base station tothe network server; validating the bandwidth indicator at the networkserver by comparing the bandwidth indicator to a bandwidth valueassociated with the first mobile station that is stored in the customerrecord database; and if the bandwidth indicator is validated, enablingthe allocation of the selected predetermined minimum bandwidth for useby the first mobile station.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of providing amulti-tier telecommunication service for mobile stations in a cellularcommunication network including a plurality of base stations. The methodcomprises providing a plurality of communication modes, each of theplurality of communication modes having a different quality level ofcommunication between mobile stations utilizing the cellularcommunication network and the plurality of base stations of the cellularcommunication network; and providing a plurality of service tiers, eachof the plurality of service tiers corresponding to one of the pluralityof communication modes, wherein each of the plurality of service tiersalso corresponds to a different price so that a first one of the tierscorresponding to a communication mode with a higher quality level ofcommunication is more expensively priced than a second one of the tierscorresponding to a communication mode with a lower quality level ofcommunication.

In one example, the method further comprises providing a first mobilestation for use in the cellular communication network, the first servicetier corresponding to the communication mode with the higher qualitylevel of communication being associated with the first mobile station;providing a second mobile station for use in the cellular communicationnetwork, the second service tier corresponding to the communication modewith the lower quality level of communication being associated with thesecond mobile station; and offering the first mobile station for sale orlease at a higher price than the second mobile station. In anotherexample, the method further comprises selling or leasing at least one ofthe first and second mobile stations to a customer; and storing eachservice tier associated with the at least one of the first and secondmobile stations in a customer record associated with the sold or leasedat least one of the first and second mobile stations. In a furtherexample, the method further comprises configuring the customer record tobill the customer a predetermined price for each stored service tier.

Another embodiment is directed to a method of procuring multi-tiercellular telecommunication service in a cellular communication networkcomprising a plurality of base stations and a mobile station. The methodcomprises identifying a plurality of QoS tiers, each of the tierscorresponding to a different quality level of communication between themobile station and the plurality of base stations of the cellularcommunication network; and selecting one of the service tiers from amongthe plurality of service tiers.

In one example, each of the plurality of QoS tiers also corresponds to adifferent price, so that a premium tier corresponding to a higherquality level of communication is priced higher than a tiercorresponding to a lower quality level of communication. In anotherexample, the method further comprises purchasing by a customer theselected QoS tier for use with the mobile station. And in a furtherexample, the selected service tier is the premium service tier and themethod further comprises paying a predetermined higher price for theselected premium service tier.

In another embodiment, a mobile station for operation on a multi-tierwireless communication network providing a plurality of service tierscorresponding to different QoS levels of wireless communications isprovided. The mobile station comprise a housing; a microphone positionedwithin the housing; an analog-to-digital converter disposed within thehousing and operatively connected to the microphone; a digital signalprocessor disposed within the housing and operatively connected to theanalog-to-digital converter; a receiver disposed within the housing andoperatively connected to the digital signal processor; a transmitterdisposed within the housing and operatively connected to the digitalsignal processor; an antenna at least partially received within thehousing and operatively connected to the transmitter and the receiver;and at least one vocoder operable to code and decode signalscorresponding to the plurality of service tiers on the wirelesscommunication network.

In one example, the plurality of service tiers includes a premiumservice tier, the at least one vocoder is operable to code and decodesignals corresponding to the premium service tier, and wherein thepremium service tier is associated with higher quality of wirelesscommunications. In another example, the at least one vocoder isprogrammed to provide a low compression rate for higher quality voicecommunication. In a further example, the mobile station also comprisesmemory for storing a quality indicator. The memory is operativelycoupled to the transmitter, wherein upon communication to a base stationof the wireless communication network, the quality indicator isretrieved from the memory and passed to the base station, whereby thequality indicator instructs the base station to select an appropriatevocoder for a predetermined quality of communication corresponding tothe quality indicator.

Another embodiment is directed to a base station for use in a multi-tierwireless communication network providing a plurality of service tierscorresponding to different levels of quality of wireless communications.The base station comprises a tower; an antenna positioned on the tower;a transceiver for transmitting and a receiver for receiving data to andfrom mobile users in the wireless communication network; and a processoroperatively coupled to the transceiver and the receiver and programmedto select a vocoder for premium tier communication in response to aphone call from a wireless mobile station based on the record in alookup table. In one example, the lookup table is one of a phone numberidentifier and a model of the wireless mobile station.

Another embodiment is directed to a wireless communication systemcomprising at least one base station; at least one wireless mobilestation capable of communicating with the at least one base stationusing radio frequency communication; a mobile switching center; andwireless communication network linking the at least one base station andthe at least one wireless mobile station with the mobile switchingcenter. The wireless communication network provides a plurality of tiersof wireless service corresponding to a different QoS level ofcommunication between a wireless mobile station and a base station ofthe wireless communication network, and each of the plurality of servicelevels also corresponds to a different price in an overall pricingstructure.

In a further embodiment, a cellular telephone network comprises aplurality of base stations and a plurality of cellular phones, and animprovement comprises a multi-tier service having a plurality ofcommunication modes utilizing at least one of minimum bandwidth, avocoder and a vocoder bit rate, wherein a premium-tier mode correspondsto higher quality communication; and a plurality of service tiers priceddifferently, wherein each of the plurality of service tiers correspondto one of the plurality of communication modes so that a more expensiveservice tier corresponds to a premium communication mode.

Another embodiment is directed to a cellular communication networkcomprising at least one base station; at least one mobile station; atleast one network server having customer record database; means forreceiving an incoming call from one of the at least one mobile stationregistered on the cellular communication network; means for determininga QoS level associated with the one of the at least one mobile station;means for selecting a predetermined minimum bandwidth for use by the oneof the at least one of mobile station, the selection being determined bythe one of the at least one of mobile station's service level; means forallocating the selected predetermined minimum bandwidth for use by theone of the at least one of mobile station; and means for communicatingwith the one of the at least one of mobile station using the selectedbandwidth.

A further embodiment is directed to a cellular communication networkcomprising at least one mobile station; at least one base station havinga microwave antenna for receiving an incoming call by one of the atleast one mobile station registered on the cellular communicationnetwork; at least one network server, the network server having customerrecord database sufficient to determine a service level associated withthe one of the at least one mobile station; a lookup table for selectingat least one of a vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for use by the one ofthe at least one of mobile station, the selection being determined bythe one of the at least one of mobile station's service level; and aradio-frequency transmitter operatively connected with the base stationfor communicating between the one of the at least one of mobile stationand the cellular communication network using the selected vocoder or theselected vocoder bit rate.

Yet another embodiment is directed to a wireless mobile station forcommunicating in a cellular communication network having at least onebase station and at least one network server. The network server hascustomer record database and the wireless mobile station comprises atransmitter for transmitting an outgoing call by the mobile stationregistered on the cellular communication network; means for querying thecustomer record database to determine QoS level associated with the oneof the at least one mobile station; means for selecting at least one ofa vocoder and a vocoder bit rate for use by the one of the at least oneof mobile station, the selection being determined by the one of the atleast one of mobile station's QoS level; and means for communicatingwith the cellular communication network using the selected vocoder orthe selected vocoder bit rate.

Another embodiment is directed to an improved method for wirelesstransmission of telecommunication signals, comprising providing aplurality of signal generation modes, each the mode corresponding to atleast one of a different bandwidth, a different vocoder and a differentbit rate, where each the mode yields a different signal quality;providing a pricing structure for use of the method wherein the pricefor signal transmission using each of the modes is related to the signalquality thereof; and permitting selection of a signal generation mode byusers of the method.

In another embodiment, a cellular telecommunication system includes animprovement comprising means for providing a plurality of signalgeneration modes, each the mode corresponding to at least one of adifferent bandwidth, a different vocoder and a different bit rate, whereeach the mode yields a different signal quality; means for providing apricing structure for use of the method wherein the price for signaltransmission using each of the modes is related to the signal qualitythereof; and means for permitting selection of a signal generation modeby users of the method.

Unless expressly stated to the contrary, each of the embodiments,examples and alternative modes of operation herein may be used incombination with any other aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates conventional cellular system architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a call quality flow diagram in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an outgoing call process flow in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a call flow scenario in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates another call flow scenario in accordance with aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a lookup table in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative call flow scenario in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further call flow scenario in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides a mobile station architecture in accordance with aspectsof the present invention.

FIG. 10 provides an alternative mobile station architecture inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative outgoing call flow scenario inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative incoming call flow scenario inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates another outgoing call flow scenario in accordancewith aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative incoming call flow scenario inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a communication system in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a first upgrade operation inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating a second upgrade operation inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will beappreciated when considered with reference to the following descriptionof exemplary embodiments and accompanying figures.

In accordance with aspects of the invention, it is recognized thatwireless communication customers who either have high priced phones orwho spend a good deal of time on the phone, such as business people andteenagers, may be willing to pay for an improved quality level ofservice and/or security that differentiate them from other subscribers.This is akin to the free market approach in general where consumers areable to purchase various levels of service commensurate with theirwillingness and ability to pay for them.

For example, while many people fly coach class, some people are willingto pay for business class or first class, which may be significantlymore expensive, if they desire and can afford a higher level of service.Even some hospitals have separate floors for “VIP” patients who receivespecial services for an additional price.

In another example, in the existing cellular networks,consumers/businesses are purchasing various service features for anadditional fee. Those features, by an example only, may includecoverage, Internet access, email, multimedia and GPS services.

In the cable and satellite television industries, consumers are free tochoose between less costly basic services and packages, which offer morechannels and/or better quality. For instance, customers may choose HDTVdigital service instead of basic digital service. And people who wish tobuy broadband Internet service can often subscribe through their cable(or PSTN) service provider. Here they may share the same bandwidth withother subscribers or may pay for access to a higher bandwidth level.Broadband users may also buy guaranteed bandwidth with various servicelevels using DSL (e.g., Fractional T1, T1, T3 or other speeds).

Another free market situation exists where consumers are given theoption of using a private toll highway versus a public non-toll road.Some cities and states provide drivers with the option to use privatetoll highways with an expectation of less congestion and a quicker tripfor those who are willing to pay for it. It can be seen that consumerswho wish to purchase such services have a choice as to what tier ofservice they are willing to pay for.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, multi-tieredservice offerings are provided for cellular communication systems. Inexemplary embodiments, a customer may choose between different tiers ofservice quality, which may offer different guaranteed levels of voicequality and/or bandwidth as stipulated by a contract between a serviceprovider and a user.

By the way of example only, Table 1 illustrates a possibledifferentiating of subscribers based on quality of services, depictingclasses of services and their characteristics. This table illustrates apossible service offering when a service provider offers three classesof service quality, i.e., Class I, Class II and Class III, the highestbeing Class I. Subscribers can purchase various “quality of service”packages. For example, for a subscriber of Class I, the provider selects1:1 protection facilities to support availability of the service notless than 99.95%, bandwidth for transmission with a vocoder rate notless than 12 Kb/s, guarantee latency not more than 130 ms and jitter notmore than 10 ms. The percentage of dropped calls should be limited tonot more than 3%. All these characteristics will be referred toSLAB—“Service Level Agreements”—that may be clearly stipulated in theservice contract.

TABLE 1 Percent of Class of Availability Dropped Service/ (%)/FacilityBandwidth Latency/ Calls Characteristics Protection Kb/s Jitter (ms)(Max) I 99.95% 1:1 12 and up 130/10 3 protection II 99.9% 1:N 7-8 180/205 protection III 98.5% 2-4 220/35 7-8 Protection is limited

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram 100 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. Here, as shown at step S100, the user maypurchase, rent or otherwise obtain/receive a mobile device. At stepS102, the user selects a predetermined tier of service (which he/sheagreed to pay for as per a service contract). Each tier of service maydirectly correspond to at least one Class of Service (as per specificSLAs), which a service provider offered and a user purchased, each beingdifferentiated by transmission parameters as explained above;corresponding to a particular voice quality level and a bandwidthamount.

By way of example only, the voice quality level may be associated with aparticular bit rate for a codec or vocoder used by the mobile device andthe communicating network infrastructure such as a base station ormobile switching center as well as network facilities supporting suchinfrastructure. For instance, the system may offer a number of bit ratesranging from, e.g., 4.75 Kb/s up to 12.2 Kb/s for a given vocoder. Oneor more intermediate rates may be provided between the lowest andhighest bit rates. The lowest bit rate may correspond to the lowestquality or fidelity of the coded voice signal, while the highest bitrate may correspond to the highest quality or fidelity of the codedvoice signal. Multiple vocoders may be offered in a given mobile station(or it may be one vocoder with programmable bit rate settings). Eachvocoder may support one or more bit rates, such as 4.5 kbps, 5.5 kbps,6.5 kbps, 7.5 kbps, 8.5 kbps, 9.5 kbps, 10.5 kbps, 11.5 kbps, 12.5 kbpsor any increments between these bit rates. Of course, it should beunderstood that higher and/or lower bit rates may also be supported.

By way of example only, the voice quality level may be associated withnetwork facilities characteristics that support the infrastructure. Forinstance, the system that supports a user call can be fully protectedand can guarantee very low probability of failure. This may be adoptedto support the highest Class of Service offered for purchasing by aService Provider. By way of example only, the SLAs on the purchasedClass of Service may include provisioning to support a particular lowlatency value and jitter as well as an upper limit on the rate of thedropped calls.

While quality or fidelity may be subjective to some degree, a number oftechniques have been developed to quantify the evaluation process. Forinstance, British Telecom developed a call clarity index (“CCI”).Another known technique is the mean opinion score (“MOS”). Yet anothertechnique, called perceptual evaluation of speech quality (“PESQ”), hasbeen promulgated by the ITU. See, for instance, ITU-T RecommendationP.862. A more recent E-model is ITU Standard G.1072 that quantifies whatis essentially a subjective judgment: a user's opinion of the perceivedquality of a voice transmission. Such techniques generally operate on aspeech quality scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 being bad, being poor,3 being fair, 4 being good and 5 being excellent. Any such quantifiabletechnique may be used in accordance with the embodiments of the presentinvention. In general, the following characteristics of transmission aremeasured to characterize voice quality: (i) Rate of dropped calls; (ii)Latency; and (iii) Jitter. In addition, as per a service contract, theservice provider may guarantee a particular value of the networkavailability as shown in Table 1.

In one example, the voice quality level may correspond to a value orrange of values on a speech quality scale. In one example, the user mayselect a first voice quality level of between 4-5, a second qualitylevel of between 3-4, a third voice quality level of between 2-3 and afourth voice quality level of between 1-2. In an exemplary pricing plan,the first voice quality level (e.g., between 4 and 5) is the mostexpensive to purchase, with the price dropping for each lower voicequality level. Of course, it should be understood that these voicequality levels are merely exemplary and other gradations may beemployed. For instance, a middle tier voice quality level may be between3.5 and 4.0, an upper tier voice quality level may be between 4.0 and4.5, and the highest tier voice quality level may be between 4.5 and5.0.

In the case where the tiers of service correspond to a bandwidth amount,the user may be given the option of selecting between any number ofpredetermined bandwidth amounts. The specific bandwidths may be systemdependent in view of the amount of spectrum available at a given cell orbase station. In one example, the system may permit the user to usebandwidth that would otherwise be allocated to one or more other users.Thus, as fewer users may be accommodated, the higher bandwidth user maypay a higher fee for access to the additional bandwidth.

Such aggregation of bandwidth may be advantageous to ensure a higher bitrate for a given vocoder or for other applications. By way of exampleonly, the user may wish to send or receive real-time video content. Thebandwidth required may depend on the display size of the mobile station.Bandwidth aggregation helps to ensure that the user views the video atthe desired video and audio quality levels. For instance, a givenapplication may require a high definition video quality with 7.1 channelaudio.

In yet another alternative, the tiers of service may correspond to adropped call rate. For instance, if a cellular system typically averagesa dropped call rate of X %, then the tiers of service may guarantee theuser different dropped call rates. By way of example only, a basic(lowest) tier may guarantee that a user will never observe a droppedcall rate more than X % at no additional charge, while a mid-level tiermay guarantee a dropped call rate of X*0.9 (a 10% improvement in droppedcall rate). A high level tier may guarantee a dropped call rate not morethan X*0.75 (a 25% improvement in dropped call rate.) And a “premier”tier may guarantee a dropped call rate not more than X*0.5 (a 50%improvement over the typical dropped call rate). While several tiershave been provided in this example, it should be understood thatdifferent tiers and/or ranges of tiers may also be provided. Forinstance, a series of three or more tiers may each have a set percentageimprovement between each tier (e.g., a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%improvement). Furthermore, the dropped call rate may be set once tocover all networks the mobile device may operate on, or it may vary fromnetwork to network depending on the specific architecture and otherdesign factors of each network.

In still another alternative, the tiers of service may be correlatedwith a provisioning of latency values. For instance, if a cellularsystem typically averages N ms delay for the basic (lower-gradeservice), then a specific Class of Service may provide support formaximum delay (latency) values not more than N-kN, where k<1.

In another alternative, the tiers of service may be correlated with aprovisioning of jitter values. For instance, if a cellular systemtypically averages J ms jitter for the basic (lower-grade service), thena specific Class of Service may provide support for maximum jittervalues not more than J-kJ, where k<1.

The user may purchase a given level of service quality at the time he orshe receives the cellular phone, for instance at a kiosk in the mall, atthe service provider's store, etc. Alternatively, the service of anylevel may be purchased upon activation of the phone, such as with overthe air activation. When the service provider sets up the customer'saccount record, the record will reflect the appropriate level of serviceassociated with his or her mobile device, as shown at step S104 of FIG.2.

In another example, after the phone is activated the user may run anapplet or other program on the phone, or otherwise send a command fromthe phone to the network via a serving base station in order to requesta change in the user's quality of service level. The user may press anactuator or select an option in a software menu to request the change.And as shown in step S104, the customer's account record is updated toreflect the new quality of service level.

In another example, a user may order a service, which allows foradaptively interacting with a network (“adaptive service”). A user mayinitially subscribe to the highest quality service. In such a case, whenthe user activates his/her telephone, or makes a call, a serviceprovider initially offers a “basic” service, with the lowest bandwidthor data rate as well as other transmission characteristics correspondedto a particular quality of transmission. If transmission conditions arenot satisfactory, the MS may require a BS to step-up to the next layerof service. In multi-tier networks, this process may be repeated indiscrete steps, until a user reaches the conditions corresponding to thehighest level of service. In this case, the user may pay less for suchservice than he/she would pay for the highest quality service only.

A further option available to the user is the ability to set or changethe service level via a web-based interface. For instance, the user mayaccess his or her account record through a website of the appropriateservice provider. This may be done directly through the user's mobilestation or using a separate device such as a laptop or desktop computer.Once the account is accessed, the user may have the option to view theexisting service quality level for one or more mobile devices associatedwith the user's account.

The user is desirably able to change the service quality level for oneor more of the mobile devices through a graphical user interface. Once achange has been made, the customer's account record is updated toreflect the new service level at step S104. Changes may be done globallyfor all of the user's devices at the same time or may be done separatelyfor one or more of the user's devices. Thus, the user may set the voicequality rate of his or her cell phone to a first tier and set the voicequality rate and/or video quality rate of his or her PDA or “smartphone”to a second tier.

In yet another alternative, the quality service level in the customer'srecord may be set in accordance with the model of mobile device used bythe customer. Here, if the user purchases or owns an expensive or highend mobile station such as the Vertu Constellation, the quality servicelevel may be placed at a given level, such as the highest service level.This may be done by comparing the make and/or model of the mobilestation to a lookup table or other index to determine which servicelevel should be employed.

In yet another alternative, the user may select an adaptive service. Inthis case, he/she may pay a higher premium in comparison with a basicservice, but less than he/she would pay for the highest quality level ofservice.

As shown in step S106 of FIG. 2, upon setting or updating the change inthe quality of service level, the customer's billing record is set orupdating to reflect the fee charged for the current level of service.The billing record may be part of the customer's general records or maybe a separate record stored in a dedicated billing database or otherdatabase. Here, the process may terminate at step S108 or may return tostep S104 for modification.

Once the user's cellular phone or other mobile station is configured tooperate on the service provider's network with a quality service levelcorresponding to the subscriber's SLAB and a network transmissionparameter corresponding to this particular subscriber's SLA(s) as well,he or she can make and receive calls or otherwise transmit/receive data.In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, FIG. 3 presents aflow diagram 120 illustrating an embodiment of how tiered servicing maybe implemented when making outgoing calls. First, at step S120, anoutgoing call is initiated on the user's mobile station. Step S122 showsthat different modes are possible, such as a local mode and a networkmode. The two modes will be addressed in detail below.

Turning first to the network mode case, the process continues at stepS124. Here, after call initiation, a check is made of the customer'srecords to identify the current quality service level. Then at step S126the appropriate vocoder and/or bit rate are selected based upon thecurrent quality service level. Once the selection is made, the processmay continue at step S128 where the user may conduct his or her call inaccordance with the selection(s). Then the process may terminate at stepS130.

In order to better describe one method of operation involving thisnetwork mode, reference is now made to FIG. 4. This figure presents afunctional diagram 200 showing the user's mobile station 202, theserving base station 204, a mobile switching center 206 and the customerrecord database 208 used by a service provider. Other network elementsare omitted for clarity.

In an example, the user's mobile station initiates a call by sending oneor more signaling strings to the base station as shown by arrow 210.This signal flow may include a user device identifier therein. In thiscase, the user device identifier may be contained in a header or anotherparticular place of such a string.

The base station may pass the user device identifier to the mobileswitching center or other internetworking infrastructure as shown byarrow 212. The mobile switching center may then access a customer recorddatabase as shown by arrow 214. At this point the system is able toidentify an appropriate quality service level for the user's mobiledevice in accordance with the user's customer record, which correspondsto a subscriber's contract (SLA) with a service provider.

Then the customer record database passes information concerning thequality service level back to the mobile switching center as shown byarrow 216. By way of example only, the information may be a valuerepresenting the quality service level. In turn, the mobile switchingcenter may then pass the service level information back to the basestation as indicated by arrow 218. The base station can thus select anappropriate vocoder for use (if more than one is available) and/or set abit rate for the base station's vocoder. Finally, as shown by arrow 220,the base station may then send the mobile device its own identifier,which tells the mobile device which vocoder to use (if more than one isavailable) and/or which bit rate to set for the mobile station'svocoder. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the basestation vocoder and the mobile station vocoder may be set to the same ordifferent bit rates in view of the service level information.

In another example, when the user originates a call, data packets aresent from the mobile station to the base station as shown by the arrow210. However, in this example no user device identifier is sent by themobile station. Upon receipt of the data packets identifying a callorigination, the base station communicates with the mobile switchingcenter or other internetworking infrastructure as shown by the arrow212. In turn, the mobile switching center may then access a customerrecord database as shown by the arrow 214.

Then as above, the customer record database looks up the user's recordin the database and passes information concerning the quality servicelevel back to the mobile switching center as shown by the arrow 216. Inturn, the mobile switching center may then pass this information back tothe base station as indicated by the arrow 218. The base station canthus select an appropriate vocoder for use (if more than one isavailable) and/or set a bit rate for the base station's vocoder.Finally, as shown by the arrow 220, the base station may send the mobiledevice its own identifier, which tells the mobile device which vocoderto use (if more than one is available) and/or which bit rate to set forthe mobile station's vocoder.

Thus, in these two network examples for mobile station call origination,it can be seen that the mobile station itself may send a user deviceidentifier, which is passed to the customer record database or theinfrastructure itself may check the database once the call is initiated.

Returning to step S122 of FIG. 3, when in local mode the processproceeds to step S132. Here, when the customer makes an outgoing call,the mobile station may send a user device identifier in one or more datapackets to the serving base station. The user device identifier mayinclude a quality level and/or bandwidth indicator. This may be done byplacing the indicator in a packet header or in some other predefineddata field in a given data packet.

Upon receipt of the indicator, the base station may validate theidentifier as shown in step S134, for instance by comparing theidentifier against a stored identifier in a database. The validation maybe done locally at the base station or remotely by a mobile switchingcenter, interworking function, customer record database or other networkentity.

As shown in step S136, the base station may be operable to select thevocoder and/or set the bit rate to a quality level as indicated by thereceived identifier. This may be confirmed by sending a return indicatorback to the mobile station as shown at step S138. Upon receipt ofconfirmation, the mobile station may then select the vocoder and/or setthe bit rate to comply with the settings at the base station. Theprocess proceeds to step S140, where the user can then conduct his/hercall. The process may terminate at step S142.

In order to better describe one method of operation involving the localmode, reference is now made to FIG. 5. This figure presents a functionaldiagram 240 showing the user's mobile station 202, the serving basestation 204, mobile switching center 206 and the customer recorddatabase 208. As with FIG. 4, other network elements are omitted forclarity.

In an example, the user's mobile station initiates a call by sending oneor more data packets to the base station as shown by arrow 242. At leastone of the data packets may include a user device identifier therein,e.g., in a header of the data packet. This identifier containsinformation on the Class of Service (including security), which thisparticular subscriber purchased from the service provider. The basestation may validate the identifier locally or may pass a validationrequest to the mobile switching center as shown by dashed arrow 244. Ifpassed, the mobile switching center may process the validation requestlocally or may pass the request to other network resources such as thecustomer record database as shown by dashed arrow 246. A validationanswer may be passed back from the database as shown by dashed arrow248, and the validation answer may be passed from the mobile switchingcenter to the base station as shown by dashed arrow 250.

Regardless of whether validation is performed locally by the basestation or remotely, if the identifier is validated then the basestation desirably selects an appropriate vocoder for use (if more thanone is available) and/or set a bit rate for the base station's vocoder.Network characteristics may be set up as per the selected Class ofService. Finally, as shown by the arrow 252, the base station may sendthe mobile station its own identifier, which tells the mobile devicewhich vocoder to use (if more than one is available) and/or which bitrate to set for the mobile station's vocoder. The bit rates selected forthe base station and mobile station vocoders may differ.

For any of the above examples, the indicator from the mobile station mayinclude a request to use a particular vocoder, bit rate and/orbandwidth, as well to support transmission characteristics appropriateto the SLA purchased by this subscriber or to activate a selectedsecurity level. In this case, the base station or other network elementmay determine the specific vocoder, bit rate and/or bandwidth in view ofthe indicator and the level of service purchased by the customer. Theindicator may, by way of example only, specify different vocoders, bitrates and/or bandwidths, which the mobile station may support.

In another example, the indicator from the mobile station may specify aparticular vocoder, bit rate and/or bandwidth that the base station isto use. The indicator may also specify transmission characteristics asper a purchased SLA. Here, if the indicator is validated, then thespecified vocoder, bit rate and/or bandwidth are used for wirelesscommunication with the mobile station. Thus, a more expensive mobilestation may instruct a serving base station to select the best availablevocoder and/or bit rate to ensure the best sound quality ofcommunication.

In yet another alternative, the indicator identifies the make and/ormodel of the mobile station. In this case, the base station or othernetwork device may have a lookup table of supported mobile stations. Anexample of such a lookup table is provided in FIG. 6. Here six differentmobile station models from various manufacturers are identified. Forease of understanding, only three tiers of service are provided,specifically a lowest tier, a middle tier and a highest tier. It shouldbe understood that any number of service tiers may be provided. As shownin the figure, three of the models are assigned to the middle tier, oneof the models is assigned to the lowest tier, and two of the models areassigned to the highest tier.

By way of example only, if a user initiates a call using a modelassociated with the lowest tier, the mobile station may be assigned tothe lowest bit rate provided by the vocoder, e.g., on the order of 4.75kbps, such as between about 4.5 kbps and 5.0 kbps. Mobile station modelsassociated with the middle tier may be assigned a vocoder bit rate onthe order of 7.75 kbps, such as between about 7.5 kbps and 8.0 kbps. Andmobile station models associated with the highest tier may be assigned avocoder rate on the order of 12.2 kbps, such as between about 11.9 kbpsand 12.5 kbps. This creates significant benefits for service providersthat can put more subscribers on the same bandwidth, or serve fewersubscribers but with higher level of service.

As discussed above, mobile stations will switch to different servingbase stations depending upon the locations of the mobile stationsrelatively to BSs and other factors. Thus, in accordance with one aspectof the present invention, upon switching to a new serving base station,any of the initiation processes explained herein may be employed.Alternatively, during handoff the system may identify to the new servingbase station, which tier of service the new serving base station is toaccommodate for the mobile station. This may be done via base station tobase station communication, or upon direction from the mobile switchingcenter or other network device as it communicates with the new servingbase station. Such operation is desirable as it appears seamless to themobile station.

The above examples focused on calls initiated by the user's device.Another situation occurs when the user's device receives an incomingcall or communication, which may come from another mobile station, aPOTS telephone, a computer or the like. As shown in the scenario 300 ofFIG. 7, an incoming call may be received from a landline phone or othercommunication device 302 and may pass through the PSTN or other network304 to mobile switching center 306, as shown by arrows 308 and 310,respectively.

Upon receipt of an incoming call for a given mobile station, e.g.,mobile station 312, the mobile switching center 306 or other wirelessnetwork entity may access customer record database 314 as shown by arrow316. At the customer record database the mobile station's qualityservice level is identified and a result is passed to the mobileswitching center as shown by arrow 318. Next, the mobile switchingcenter passes the incoming call along with the quality service level forthe call to base station 320 as shown by arrow 322.

The base station may set its vocoder and/or bit rate as well as identifya transmission path corresponding to the purchased service qualitylevel. The base station may then send one or more data packets to themobile station as shown by arrow 324. At least one of these data packetsincludes a quality service level identifier that the mobile station usesto set its vocoder and/or bit rate, e.g., as packet header information.Then communication between the mobile station and the landline or otherdevice may take place as shown by arrows 326, 328, 330 and 332. The overthe air communication between the mobile station and the base stationoccur using the set vocoder and/or bit rate in accordance with themobile station's service level.

In an alternative, the incoming call is routed from the landlinetelephone or other device to the mobile station, and once the mobilestation receives an indication that a call has been initiated it sends aquality service level request or identifier to the base station, forinstance via a header, flag or other indicator in a data packet. As inthe example of FIG. 4, the system may then validate the quality servicelevel identifier by evaluating the customer record database or byexamining a lookup table as discussed in regard to FIG. 6.

In yet another embodiment, an incoming call may be received from anothermobile station. An example of this situation is shown in the scenario340 of FIG. 8, where an incoming call is received from mobile station342 and pass through base station 344 (the serving base station ofmobile station 342) to mobile switching center 346, as shown by arrows348 and 370, respectively.

Upon receipt of an incoming call for the user's mobile station, e.g.,mobile station 352, the mobile switching center 346 or other wirelessnetwork entity may access customer record database 354 as shown by arrow356. At the customer record database the user's mobile station's qualityservice level is identified and a result is passed to the mobileswitching center as shown by arrow 358. Next, the mobile switchingcenter passes the incoming call along with the quality service level forthe call to serving base station 360 of the mobile station 352 as shownby arrow 362.

The base station 360 may set its vocoder and/or bit rate in accordancewith the identified quality service level. The base station 360 may thensend one or more data packets to the mobile station 352 as shown byarrow 364. At least one of these data packets includes a quality servicelevel identifier that the mobile station 352 uses to set its vocoderand/or bit rate, e.g., as packet header information. Then, communicationbetween the mobile station 352, shown as MS1 in FIG. 8, and the mobilestation 342, shown as MS2 in FIG. 8, may take place as shown by arrows366, 368, 370 and 372. The over the air communication between the mobilestation 352 and the base station 360 occurs using the set vocoder and/orbit rate in accordance with that mobile station's service level.

In an alternative, the incoming call is routed from the mobile station342 to the mobile station 352, and once the mobile station 352 receivesan indication that a call has been initiated it sends a quality servicelevel request or identifier to the base station 360, for instance via aheader, flag or other indicator in a data packet. As in the example ofFIG. 4, the system may then validate the quality service levelidentifier by evaluating the customer record database or by examining alookup table as discussed in regard to FIG. 6.

In another example, it should be understood that both mobile stations,e.g., MS1 and MS2 in FIG. 8, may have quality service levels set inaccordance with FIG. 2 above. These service levels may be the same ormay differ. Should the service levels differ, several options areavailable. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, when thereceiving mobile station has a higher quality service level (e.g., ahigher bit rate for its vocoder), then the receiving mobile stationissues an instruction to the originating mobile station to have theoriginating mobile station switch to a matching quality service levels(if this is possible). This may be done at the expense of theoriginating mobile station, or the service provider may bear theexpense.

In the situation where the originating mobile station has the higherquality service level, it may instruct the receiving mobile station(e.g., via a data packet header, flag or other identifier) to operate atthe higher quality service levels (if this is possible). And as above,this may be done at the expense of the originating mobile station or theservice provider may bear the expense.

In such a situation where the two mobile stations are arranged tooperate at the same voice quality or service level, it may be desirablethat the serving base stations are set to equivalent or correspondingvoice quality or service levels. For instance, the serving base stationsmay each be set to the same vocoder bit rate. And it should beunderstood that a single base station may act as the serving basestation for both of the mobile stations. Furthermore, more than twomobile stations may all be communicating simultaneously as part of athree-way or conference call. In this situation, the mobile station withthe highest service level may dictate the service level of one or moreof the other communicating mobile stations.

In yet another scenario, MS2 sends a request to MS1 (e.g., through basestations BS1 and BS2 and with the help of MSC) to communicate. As anexample only, the mobile stations may be registered with differentquality service levels. For example, the MS2 user may have bought only abasic service plan and the MS1 user may have bought the highest qualitylevel of service. BS1 and BS2 recognize such a fact. The called partyBS1 and the calling party BS2 may have the ability to set-up acommunications channel between two entities, MS1 and MS2 (see FIG. 8).As soon as the BS closest to MS1 (BS1 in FIG. 8) recognizes that the twoparties have different bit coding rates, it terminates the line andmakes a real-time recording of all data coming from MS2 and re-decodinganalog streams in a way acceptable to MS1, i.e., with the vocodersettings of MS1. At the other side of the link, BS2 (which is theclosest BS to MS2 at this particular time) terminates traffic flow fromMS1, and re-decodes the person's voice as per MS2's settings. In thisway, both mobile stations communicate with each other without violationsof service agreements with a provider.

In a further scenario, a service provider(s) creates “closed” groups ofsubscribers. Here, each group is differentiated by quality service levelagreements. For example, the premium services customers want to receiveand transmit information as per their contract with a service providerwith arranged SLAs. This contract may require that service providerneeds to select the best facilities (for example, fiber optics channelswith dual rings architecture to guarantee high-quality transmission andreception). Identifications of subscribers' service and security levelsfor each closed group may be performed as described above. If asubscriber from the “closed” group with a lower service grade wants tocommunicate with a subscriber from a higher level of service group, thenhe/she may pay a premium for the duration of the call. If a subscriberbelongs to a closed group with a higher level of service, and he/shewants to talk with a subscriber, which belongs to a closed group with alower service grade, then the premium may be paid again by the lowerservice grade subscriber (similar to the current rules in the U.S. whena subscriber pays for both incoming and outgoing calls)

FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile station 400 for use in accordance withaspects of the present invention. As shown, the mobile station 400 mayinclude a baseband subsystem 402 and an RF or wireless subsystem 404.Both the baseband and RF subsystems may be controlled by a processorsuch as CPU 406. As used herein, the term RF encompasses, but is notlimited to the signals in the frequency range from 300 MHz up to 3 GHz.This range is often referred to as the ultra high frequency band(“UHF”). By way of example only, RF may encompass signals of lowerfrequency ranges such as a very high frequency (“VHF”) from 30 MHz to300 MHz or even lower, such as in the high frequency (“HF”) band. RF mayalso encompass signals of higher frequency ranges such as super highfrequency (“SHF”) from about 3 GHz up to 30 GHz or beyond, such asextremely high frequency (“EHF”) in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz orhigher.

The RF subsystem preferably includes a receiver and a transmitter(“transceiver”) coupled to an antenna (not shown). Details on RFsubsystem architectures may be found in “Transceiver System Design forDigital Communications,” by Scott R. Bullock, copyright 1995 by NoblePublishing, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

By way of example only, the baseband subsystem may include a digitalsignal processor (“DSP”) 408, one or more vocoders 410, A/D(Analog/Digital) converters 412, a user interface 414, applicationsoftware 416 and peripherals 418. The DSP may perform various signalprocessing tasks, and the vocoder(s) may be separate from or part of theDSP. In one example, the DSP is part of the processor 406 and/or mayperform operations of the processor 406. Multiple vocoders may bedesirable, especially in the situation where the mobile station isconfigured to operate on different carriers' networks such as a WCDMAnetwork and a GSM network. Each vocoder may support multiple bit rates.The user interface may include a text interface, a GUI, actuators suchas switches, buttons and the like. The application software may beconfigured to run/control various programs on the mobile station, suchas a calendar program, a contacts program, games, an Internet browser,etc. Different peripherals may also be employed, such as an externalaudio output, microphone input, a charging connector and connectors forother electronic devices, such as a USB connector.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, before or during acall the user may press an actuator or “soft button” of the userinterface to cause the mobile station to instruct the basestation/network to user a particular compression level (e.g., a specificbit rate) and/or to use a particular vocoder or bandwidth. The userinterface may also be used to instruct a BS to use a given Class ofService. This may be done in conjunction with application software toset the call quality. Then, as above, the quality information is used toset the bit rate, vocoder and/or bandwidth during communication with arecipient.

If the recipient is another mobile station, the caller may use theactuator or the soft button to instruct the receiving mobile stationand/or the network to switch the receiving mobile station to the samequality service level as the calling mobile station. This will help toensure that both parties are sending and receiving at the same qualitylevel.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, if forsome reason the network fails to utilize the specified vocoder, bitrate, bandwidth and/or other transmission parameters that identify Classof Service for the duration of a call or transmission, the user who issupposed to receive the specified quality level may be financiallycompensated for such a failure. For instance, the customer's billingrecord may be credited a full or partial amount of what the call ortransmission would have been charged to the customer. Furthermore,metrics may be provided to customers showing the quality level forincoming and outgoing calls. Such metrics may be appended to the user'sbilling records, available through a web-based GUI or the like.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, FIG. 10illustrates a variation of the mobile station 400, namely mobile station400′. As shown, the mobile station 400′ includes a baseband subsystem402′ as well as the RF or wireless subsystem 404. Both the baseband andRF subsystems may be controlled by a processor such as CPU 406.

Many of the components of the mobile station 400′ are the same as thosein the mobile station 400 and operate as described above. As shown inFIG. 10, the mobile station 400′ includes one or more quality servicelevel indicators 420, which may be hard programmed into the mobilestation 400′. In one example, this may be done by programming thequality service level indicators 420 into firmware of the basebandsubsystem 402′ when the phone is purchased by a customer. In anotherexample, the programming may be accomplished by recording the qualityservice level indicators 420′ in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROMduring manufacture of the mobile station 400′. In a further example, thequality service level indicator(s) are hard programmed onto a subscriberidentity module (“SIM”) card, which can be received through one of theperipherals 418.

Regardless of how the quality service level indicator(s) 420 is/are hardprogrammed into the mobile station 400′, a given quality service levelindicator may be utilized as follows. As shown in the flow diagram 500of FIG. 11, in the case where a user of the mobile station 400′initiates an outgoing call, the user interface 414 may receive a commandfrom the user to begin a call as shown in step S500. Next, as shown atstep S502, the user interface 414 may alert the CPU 406 that a call hasbeen initiated. Then as shown in step S504, the CPU 406 may read theappropriate quality service level indicator 420 from memory, e.g., fromnon-volatile or permanent memory. The quality service level indicator420 may be selected depending upon the particular network on which themobile station 400′ is currently operating.

As shown in step S506 only as an example, the CPU 406 may select aspecific vocoder 410 to use if more than one vocoder is available. Andas shown in step S508, the CPU 406 may set the vocoder to apredetermined bit rate or quality level based upon the service levelindicator 420 employed. Next, as shown in step S510, the mobile station400′ may communicate with the current service base station and instructthe base station as to what vocoder and/or bit rate the mobile stationwill employ during the call. The process may conclude at step S512.

A similar process may occur when the mobile station receives an incomingcall. In one example shown in the flow diagram 520 of FIG. 12, in thecase where a user of the mobile station 400′ receives an incoming call,the RF/wireless subsystem 404 may receive notification of an incomingcall from a serving base station as shown in step S520. As shown at stepS522, the CPU 406 may be alerted that a call has been initiated. Then asshown in step S524, the CPU 406 may read the appropriate quality servicelevel indicator 420 from memory, e.g., from non-volatile or permanentmemory. The quality service level indicator 420 may be selecteddepending upon the particular network on which the mobile station 400′is currently operating.

As shown in step S526 only as an example, the CPU 406 may select aspecific vocoder 410 to use if more than one vocoder is available. Andas shown in step S528, the CPU 406 may set the vocoder to apredetermined bit rate or quality level based upon the service levelindicator 420 employed. As shown in step S530, the mobile station 400′may communicate with the current service base station and instruct thebase station as to what vocoder and/or bit rate the mobile station willemploy during the call. The process may conclude at step S532.

Alternative procedures may be employed when initiating or receivingcalls with the mobile station 400′. For instance, as shown in the flowdiagram 540 of FIG. 13, in the case where a user of the mobile station400′ initiates an outgoing call, the user interface 414 may receive acommand from the user to begin a call as shown in step S540. Next, asshown at step S542, the user interface 414 may alert the CPU 406 that acall has been initiated. Then as shown in step S544, the CPU 406 mayread the appropriate quality service levels indicator 420 from memory,e.g., from non-volatile or permanent memory. The quality service levelindicator 420 may be selected depending upon the particular network onwhich the mobile station 400′ is currently operating.

Then, as shown in step S546, the quality service level indicator may beused to send a command or request to the base station or other networkelement to select an appropriate level of service. The base station orother network element (e.g., MSC) may then select an appropriate qualityservice level in view of the quality service level indicator informationreceived from the mobile station 400′, as shown at step S548. Then asshown at step S550, the mobile station 400′ receives a service levelmessage from the base station.

Based upon the received quality service level message, the basebandsubsystem 402′ (e.g., CPU 406) may select a specific vocoder 410 to useif more than one vocoder is available, as shown at step S552. And asshown in step S554, the CPU 406 may set the vocoder to a predeterminedbit rate or quality level based upon the service level indicator 420employed. The process may conclude at step S556.

A similar process may occur when the mobile station receives an incomingcall. In one example shown in the flow diagram 560 of FIG. 14, in thecase where a user of the mobile station 400′ receives an incoming call,the RF/wireless subsystem 404 may receive notification of an incomingcall from a serving base station as shown in step S561. As shown at stepS562, the CPU 406 may be alerted that a call has been initiated. Then asshown in step S564, the CPU 406 may read the appropriate quality servicelevel indicator 420 from memory, e.g., from non-volatile or permanentmemory. The quality service level indicator 420 may be selecteddepending upon the particular network on which the mobile station 400′is currently operating.

Then, as shown in step S566, the quality service level indicator may beused to send a command or request to the base station or other networkelement to select an appropriate quality level of service. The basestation or other network element (e.g., MSC) may then select anappropriate quality service level in view of the quality service levelindicator information received from the mobile station 400′, as shown atstep S568. Then as shown at step S570, the mobile station 400′ receivesa quality service level message from the base station.

Based upon the received quality service level message, the basebandsubsystem 402′ (e.g., CPU 406) may select a specific vocoder 410 to useif more than one vocoder is available, as shown at step S572. And asshown in step S574, the CPU 406 may set the vocoder to a predeterminedbit rate or quality level based upon the service level indicator 420employed. The process may conclude at step S576.

It should also be understood as described elsewhere herein, that in thecase when the incoming call is from another mobile device or any userdevice in which the bit rate or vocoder may be set, the caller's devicemay have its bit rate/vocoder set commensurate with that of the userdevice 400′. This may be done, for example, to ensure consistent voicequality between the parties on the call.

As discussed above, the user may set or change the quality servicelevel(s) for one or more devices using a web-based interface. FIG. 15provides an exemplary system 600 in which a user may view and/or modifyquality service levels over a network.

For example, the system 600 may include a server 610 containing aprocessor 620, memory 630 and other components typically present in acomputer. The server may be associated with a particular wirelesscommunication network, in which case it may be in operativecommunication with or operatively coupled to the MTSO or MSC. The memory630 stores information accessible by processor 620, includinginstructions 640 that may be executed by the processor 620 and data 635that may be retrieved, manipulated or stored by the processor. Thememory 630 may be of any type capable of storing information accessibleby the processor, such as a hard-drive, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, write-capableor read-only memories.

The processor 620 may comprise any number of well known processors, suchas processors from Intel Corporation. Alternatively, the processor maybe a dedicated controller for executing operations, such as an ASIC. Theinstructions 640 may comprise any set of instructions to be executeddirectly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by theprocessor. In that regard, the terms “instructions,” “steps” and“programs” may be used interchangeably herein. The instructions may bestored in any computer language or format, such as in object code ormodules of source code. The quality service level information may be ashort code that indicates which quality class of service is purchased bya subscriber. The functions, methods and routines of instructions inaccordance with the present invention are explained in more detailbelow.

Data 635 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processor 620 inaccordance with the instructions 640. The data may be stored as acollection of data. For instance, although the invention is not limitedby any particular data structure, the data may be stored in computerregisters, in a relational database as a table having a plurality ofdifferent fields and records, XML documents, or flat files. The data mayalso be formatted in any computer readable format Moreover, the data mayinclude any information sufficient to identify the relevant information,such as descriptive text, proprietary codes, pointers, references todata stored in other memories (including other network locations) orinformation which is used by a function to calculate the relevant data.

Although the processor 620 and memory 630 are functionally illustratedin FIG. 15 as being within the same block, it should be understood thatthe processor 620 and memory 630 may comprise multiple processors andmemories that may or may not be stored within the same physical housingor location. For example, some or all of the instructions and data maybe stored on a removable CD-ROM and others within a read-only computerchip. Some or all of the instructions and data may be stored in alocation physically remote from, yet still accessible by, the processor.Similarly, the processor may actually comprise a collection ofprocessors, which may or may not operate in parallel.

In one aspect of the present invention, server 610 communicates with oneor more client computers 650 and 652. Each client computer may beconfigured similarly to the server 610, with a processor 654, memory andinstructions, as well as a user input device 670 and a user outputdevice, such as display 660. Each client computer may be a generalpurpose computer, intended for use by a person and having all theinternal components normally found in a personal computer such as theprocessor 654 (e.g., a CPU), display 660, CD-ROM, hard-drive, mouse,keyboard, touch-sensitive screen, speakers, microphone, modem and/orrouter (telephone, cable or otherwise) and all of the components usedfor connecting these elements to one another.

The server 610 and client computers 650 are capable of direct andindirect communication with other computers, such as over a network 680.Although only a few computers are depicted in FIG. 15, it should beappreciated that a typical system can include a large number ofconnected servers and clients, with each different computer being at adifferent node of the network. The network 680, and intervening nodes,may comprise various configurations and utilize various protocols andcommunications channels including the Internet, intranets, virtualprivate networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networksusing communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies,Ethernet, WiFi and HTTP.

Communication may be facilitated by any device capable of transmittingdata to and from other computers, such as modems (e.g., dial-up orcable), network interfaces and wireless interfaces. Server 610 may be aweb server. Although certain advantages are obtained when information istransmitted or received as noted above, other aspects of the inventionare not limited to any particular manner of transmission of information.For example, in some aspects, the information may be sent via a mediumsuch as a disk, tape, CD-ROM, or directly between two computer systemsvia a dial-up modem. In other aspects, the information may betransmitted in a non-electronic format and manually entered into thesystem.

In the case where the user of one of the client computers is a customeraccessing his/her account records, the system 600 may be an Internet orweb-based system. The user may set or change the quality servicelevel(s) of one or more devices using system 600. For instance, theserver 610 may provide a GUI to the user with an option to select fromamong a plurality of quality service levels for a given user device.Once a selection has been made, the user's customer record may beupdated to reflect the selection. A customer record database may be partof memory 635, and may be accessible, either directly or indirectly,from the network's base stations, MSC or other network infrastructure.Here, the user may access the GUI using his/her own computer or througha computer provided by the service provider, such as at a kiosk or atone of the service provider's stores.

In another example, the user may be a reseller or aggregator who maypre-set service levels into various mobile stations using either aclient computer or the server 610 directly. Here, by way of exampleonly, the customer record database may be stored locally with the server610 with access provided to the network provider(s) or the customerrecord database may be maintained by a network provider with accessprovided to the reseller or aggregator.

In yet another example, the user may be a mobile station manufacturerwho may pre-set service levels into various mobile stations using eithera client computer or the server 610 directly. This may be done, asdiscussed above, by hard wiring the service level(s) into the mobilestation during production.

In the adaptive level service, the user may start, as predetermined bymeans of programming, with the lowest service level. The transcoder mayhave a threshold device, which analyzes one or several parameters of thereceived signal. The thresholds may be correlated with a quality ofservice level. As soon as the transceiver extracts information thatshows the received signal degradation, the threshold device asks MS toswitch to the next higher service level and the process continues untilthe communications channel is in the satisfactory conditions (or untilthe subscriber exhausted all possibilities he/she was entitled).

In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, anotherembodiment addresses a situation where a customer who has purchased apremium tier of assured quality communicates with another person who mayor may not subscribe to the premium tier. In the case where both usershave the same premium service, a voice call may be carried out betweenthem by setting the system as described above. For instance, theincoming/outgoing call is set at the premium tier of service for thereceiving party/calling party using any of the processes herein.

In a situation where the other person does not subscribe to a premiumtier, one option is to conduct a call with the first party operatingwith the premium tier while the other party operates at a lower tier ofservice. However, in many situations this may be undesirable, as thecall quality received by the premium tier customer will be substandard.

Thus, in one alternative, when a call is made to/from a premium tiermobile station and the other party's mobile station has a lower tier ofservice, the other party may receive an upgrade in service for theduration of the call to match the premium tier of the other mobilestation. This may be done automatically or manually.

For instance, in an automatic mode of operation a network device, suchas a serving base station of the non-premium tier mobile station, mayreceive an indication that the other mobile station is a premium tierdevice. Here, the serving base station of the non-premium tier mobilestation may automatically choose a higher quality vocoder, greaterbandwidth, etc. for the non-premium tier mobile station in order toensure end to end high quality communication between the two mobilestations. Thus, even though the non-premium tier mobile station wouldnot normally operate in a premium tier mode, it may be “forced” or“upgraded” into such a tier as long as it is capable of supporting thatmode of operation (e.g., supports the premium tier vocoder).

In one alternative, this type of upgrading may be available under a“premium plus” type of plan, wherein the subscriber to the premium tiermay be given the additional option of upgrading calling/called parties.This may be done for an additional charge, which may be billed via thesubscriber's customer record. The premium plus service may have a flatrate charge, such as a monthly fee charged whether or not any upgradesare made. Alternatively, the subscriber may be charged on a “pay as yougo” program where he or she is billed the premium plus fee only when theother party is actually upgraded.

In another alternative, the subscribers who are not matched by qualityof service may communicate according to their service subscription untilthe signal reaches the closest BS to a subscriber BS. Such a BS thenterminates data streams and re-records and transmits them at anappropriate bandwidth and bit rate for the corresponded subscriber.

In still another alternative, subscribers may be united by purchasedgrade classes of quality of services. In this way, they organize closedgroups of subscribers and can talk to each other, as was describedabove, inside of the group. If a subscriber from a “lower” group wantsto talk to a subscriber from a “higher” level group, then, as per acontract, he/she needs to pay a premium for the duration of such a call.The same situation is valid when a subscriber from a “lower” groupreceives a call from a subscriber that belongs to a “higher” levelgroup, a network instructs a lower grade subscriber to use transmissionthat guarantees a higher group quality of service. Note that groups aresupposed to be compatible, i.e., mobile stations should have the abilityto be adjusted to the same transmission characteristics.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary call configuration process 700, whichmay be employed with the automatic mode of operation. The process beginswith a call initiation at step S700. This initiation may be done byeither party, and does not require that both users be wireless mobilestations on the same network. For instance, one of the users may have amobile station registered on a first network, while the other user mayhave a mobile station registered on a second network. In an alternative,the second user may have a wired or wireless voice over IP (“VoIP”)device, which may be communicating through an Internet server.

At steps S702 and 5704, determinations are made about the calling partyand called party tiers of quality services. This may be done inaccordance with any of the embodiments set forth herein. At step S706 adetermination is made as to whether the tiers of service quality of bothparties match. If there is a match, then as shown in step S708 the callmay commence without service level intervention by a network device(e.g., a base station). After the call, the process may terminate atstep S710.

It should be noted that in the case of devices operating on differentnetworks and/or offerings by different providers, there may not be anexact conformity between tiers of service. In accordance with an aspectof the invention, even if there is not an exact match of tiers, if thequality of service between the users' tiers correlates in accordancewith a predetermined threshold, then a match may be declared and theprocess would proceed at step S708. For instance, assume a first userhas a first tier of service quality corresponding to use of a firstvocoder. The other user may operate on a different network with a secondtier of service corresponding to use of a second vocoder. If the twovocoders provide voice quality levels commensurate with one another,e.g., a 10.0 kbps CELP codec for the first vocoder and a 9.5 kbps EVRCcodec for the second vocoder, then a predetermined threshold may besatisfied and the call may commence. Correlation in accordance with sucha threshold may be determined in accordance with equivalent voicequality levels as set forth above.

If the tiers of service do not match, then as shown at step S712 anetwork element (e.g., a base station) may select an appropriate levelof service for the device (e.g., mobile station) having the lower tierof service. For instance, as shown at step S714, a vocoder of the lowertier device may be selected to match the higher tier of the other user'sdevice. Alternatively or additionally, additional bandwidth may beselected to match that of the higher tier device. As shown at step S716,the vocoder or bandwidth may be set to a predetermined bit rate orquality level commensurate with the higher tier device. One of both ofthe caller/callee parties may be billed in accordance with the upgrade,as shown by step S718. After the call, the process may end at step S710.

Another mode of operation may exist where, once a call is initiated, thetier of operation of the calling/called party is identified. This may bedone, by way of example, with a network device such as a serving basestation querying a customer record database. Alternatively, thecalling/called party's device may identify its level of quality serviceas set forth above, such as via an identifier that is part of atransmitted data packet. In either case, the premium tier mobile stationmay be notified about the difference in service levels. At this point,the premium tier mobile station user may elect to upgrade the otherparty's quality level for the call. For instance, the premium tier partymay choose to pay to upgrade the other party's plan/tier for the currentcall.

Alternatively, the lower tier party may be notified that the other partyoperates or is capable of operating at the premium tier. Here, the lowertier party may be offered the opportunity to upgrade his/her tier forthe duration of the call. In yet another alternative, the lower tierparty may initially be offered the upgrade option first and if he/shedeclines, then the premium tier party may be offered the option toupgrade the other party. Or in a further alternative, the premium tierparty may initially be offered the upgrade option first and if he/shedeclines, then the lower tier party may be offered the option to upgradethe other party. In still another alternative, at the time ofsubscribing to a wireless service, a party choosing a tier less than thehighest tier may be offered as part of the plan an option for anautomatic upgrade to a higher tier whenever this party receives a phonecall from a second party having a higher tier of serves to match thesecond party's tier, on a pay-per-call basis or for a fixed monthlysurcharge.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary call configuration process 750, whichmay be employed with yet another mode of operation. The process beginswith a call initiation at step S750. As discussed above with regard toprocess 700 of FIG. 16, this initiation may be done by either party, anddoes not require that both users be wireless mobile stations on the samenetwork. For instance, one of the users may have a mobile stationregistered on a first network, while the other user may have a mobilestation registered on a second network. In an alternative, the seconduser may have a wired or VoIP device, which may be communicating throughan Internet servers.

At steps S752 and S754, determinations are made about the calling partyand called party tiers of services. This may be done in accordance withany of the embodiments set forth herein. At step S756, a determinationis made as to whether the tiers of service of both parties match. Ifthere is a match, then as shown in step S758 the call may then commence.After the call, the process may terminate at step S760.

If there is not a match, then one or both parties to the call may benotified about the difference in service tiers, as shown in step S762.Each notified party may be offered an option to upgrade the lower tieruser to match the service level of the higher tier user, as shown instep S764, or this upgrade may take place automatically according toeach user's service plan. This may be done by checking the user accountrecord to see if the user has elected an option to upgrade his/herservice on a call by call basis in the event of a call with another userwith a higher tier of service. Or this may be done if the higher tieruser's account record includes an indication that the user elects toupgrade the other party. In another example, an indicator or request maybe sent to one or both users for display or other identification on therespective user device. Here, the respective user may or may not chooseto upgrade the service.

A query may be made at step S766 to see if a user elected to upgrade theservice level of the lower tier device. If no upgrade was chosen, thenthe process may continue at step S758. If an upgrade was chosen, thenthe user who elected the upgrade may be billed commensurately as shownin step S768.

As shown at step S770, a vocoder of the lower tier device may beselected to match the higher tier of the other user's device. Thisselection may be done by either user or by the network (e.g., servingbase station). Alternatively or additionally, additional bandwidth maybe selected to match that of the higher tier device. As shown at stepS772, the vocoder or bandwidth may be set to a predetermined bit rate orquality level commensurate with the higher tier device. After the call,the process may end at step S760.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore,while particular processes are shown in a specific order in the appendeddrawings, such processes are not limited to any particular order unlesssuch order is expressly set forth herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention enjoys wide industrial applicability including,but not limited to, communicating among user devices in wirelesscommunication networks. The present invention allows devices toeffectively utilize a communication channel and supports high quality oftransmission, which will benefit service providers and subscribersalike.

1. A method of providing telecommunication service in a wirelesscommunication network, comprising: providing a plurality ofQuality-of-Service (“QoS”) levels, each of the plurality of QoS levelscorresponding to a different QoS level of communication between awireless mobile station and a base station of the wireless communicationnetwork, and each of the plurality of QoS levels also corresponds to adifferent price in an overall pricing structure; providing an option toa customer to select one of the plurality of QoS levels for use with thewireless mobile station; storing the selected QoS level in a customerrecord associated with the wireless mobile station; and configuring thecustomer record to bill the customer a predetermined price for theselected QoS level; wherein the audio signal quality level correspondsto at least one of: a service level determined by a contract between aservice provider and a subscriber including at least one of a maximumallowed latency and a jitter value guaranteed by a service provider; anda predetermined level of network protection between mobile stationsinvolved in a conversation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: thenetwork protection ranges from a basic protection level to a 1:1protection level to guarantee QoS purchased by a subscriber.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network reserves apredetermined bandwidth for at least some of the plurality of QoSlevels.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communicationnetwork reserves a predetermined protection level for at least some ofthe plurality of QoS levels.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thewireless communication network reserves a predetermined maximum allowedlatency for at least some of the plurality of QoS levels.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network reserves apredetermined maximum allowed jitter level for at least some of theplurality of QoS levels.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunication network reserves a predetermined maximum allowed droppedcall rate for at least some of the plurality of QoS levels.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication network is acellular communication network.
 9. A wireless communication system,comprising: at least one base station; at least one network serveroperatively connected to the at least one base station; a data storagedevice operatively connected to the at least one network server; acustomer record database stored on the storage device for maintainingrecords of a plurality of customers of the wireless communication systemand for identifying at least one wireless mobile station associated witheach of the plurality of customers; and a plurality of QoS levels, eachof the plurality of QoS levels corresponding to a different qualitylevel of communication and to a different price in an overall pricingstructure; wherein each quality level of communication is a qualitylevel of an audio signal to be sent or received by a mobile station of agiven customer.
 10. The wireless communication system of claim 9 whereinthe customer record database is updatable to reflect a selected level ofQoS for a given customer.
 11. The wireless communication system of claim9, wherein the audio signal quality level corresponds to a vocoder bitrate.
 12. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein theaudio signal quality level corresponds to a selection of a vocoder of auser's mobile station.
 13. The wireless communication system of claim 9,wherein the audio signal quality level corresponds to a minimumguaranteed bandwidth of a user's mobile station.
 14. The wirelesscommunication system of claim 9, wherein the audio signal quality levelcorresponds to particular communication channel availability as per acontract with a service provider.
 15. The wireless communication systemof claim 9, wherein the audio signal quality level corresponds to atleast one of a maximum allowed value for signal latency, jitter anddropped call rate of a received signal at the user's mobile station, theaudio quality level being guaranteed by a service contract between theuser and a service provider.
 16. A method of communicating in a cellularcommunication network comprising a plurality of base stations and anetwork server having customer record database, the method comprising:(a) dividing a service area between subscribers so that each subscriberis assigned by a contract between the subscriber and a service providerto belong to a closed service group, with all subscribers in a givenclosed service group class have the same service level agreement; (b)receiving an incoming call from a first one of a plurality of mobilestations, the first mobile station being registered on the cellularcommunication network; (c) determining a QoS level associated with thefirst mobile station; (d) selecting a predetermined minimum bandwidthfor use by the first mobile station, the selection being determined bythe service level of the first mobile station; (e) allocating theselected predetermined minimum bandwidth for use by the first mobilestation; (f) communicating with the first mobile station using theselected bandwidth; (g) providing that a subscriber of a lower gradeclass can communicate with a subscriber from a higher grade class withan additional per call fee; and (h) providing that the subscriber of thehigher grade class can communicate with the subscriber from the lowergrade class with an additional per call fee charged to the lower classsubscriber.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selectedpredetermined bandwidth is allocated for the duration of the incomingcall.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the incoming call includes abandwidth indicator that is received by a first one of the plurality ofbase stations.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: passingthe bandwidth indicator from the first base station to the networkserver; validating the bandwidth indicator at the network server bycomparing the bandwidth indicator to a bandwidth value associated withthe first mobile station that is stored in the customer record database;and if the bandwidth indicator is validated, enabling the allocation ofthe selected predetermined minimum bandwidth for use by the first mobilestation.
 20. A wireless communication system comprising: at least onebase station; at least one wireless mobile station capable ofcommunicating with said at least one base station using radio frequencycommunication; a mobile switching center; and a wireless communicationnetwork linking said at least one base station and said at least onewireless mobile station with said mobile switching center; wherein saidwireless communication network provides a plurality of tiers of wirelessservice corresponding to a different QoS level of communication betweena wireless mobile station and a base station of the wirelesscommunication network, and each of the plurality of service levels alsocorresponds to a different price in an overall pricing structure.